Air Museum Improvements in 2018 Aided by Gilchrist Foundation Grants

Written by: Pam Mickelson

The Gilchrist Foundation awarded two capital campaign grants totaling $102,624 to the Mid America Museum of Aviation and Transportation to help fund gate access to the museum and install energy efficient lighting for museum artifacts.

Plans called for a swing gate that reduces maintenance and manpower so aircraft can have access to museum property.  The gate will allow future warbirds and Fly In participants a safer and better access to the museum after taxiway improvements are completed by the City of Sioux City and the museum.

The lighting project funded new fixtures and lamps for the 30,000 sq. ft. building.  The new lights are better for the museum artifacts and energy efficient.  ….  In addition, new fans were installed to aid in air circulation to make the visitor experience more pleasant as well as also being energy efficient.  Since the installation of both new lights and new fans electric bills have drastically been reduced.

"We are thankful for the Gilchrist Foundation. Its impact will be felt by future visitors," says Dr. Pam Mickelson, museum board president. "We are especially proud of Gilchrist board members in their continued dedication to supporting the air museum."

Larry Finley, museum Executive Director, said “the lights have been on my list for years to improve.  The original halide fixtures were very hard on artifacts as well as the eye.  Return visitors have enjoyed the new lighting.”